Mount Crandell reconnaissance
October 27, 2019
Solo scramble.
With somewhat dreary weather and lots of new snow, this was a good day
to scope out a potential winter route up the east side of Mount Crandell. Alan
Kane’s scramble routes were clearly not an option for the snow months and the
other route that starts from the Crandell Lake parking lot on the Akamina
Parkway remained inaccessible, due to the 2017 Kenow fire.
Starting at the Middle Lake parking lot, I hiked along a good trail that
goes north, past Lonesome Lake, and around to the east side of Crandell.
Leaving the trail, I then ascended lightly forested slopes of burned out trees
to where the terrain became a little more serious – rock bands or steep snow. I
did try one route up through the rock bands and though it had all kinds of
potential, today was not the day to go any higher. Instead, I returned, via a different
and more scenic route, enjoying slightly improving weather and pleasant views
of the Waterton area.
An easy few hours of
interesting exploration.
Looking at Crandell (left), Bellevue Hill (right), and a whack load of birds on Maskinonge Lake
The birds
Passing the Kane alternate descent route. The Tick's Ridge ascent route goes from centre up to the left.
The fascinating southeast side of the east ridge
Good layer of fresh snow
Vimy Peak across the valley
Scary trees!
Bellevue Hill
Lots of rock bands on this side of the mountain
Gaining elevation and getting better views
The terrain gets steeper near the rock bands
At the base of the rock
Looking to the prairies
End of the line - turned around here
The descent route was far more scenic than the route I took up
Snow on the burned black trees make for a striking contrast
I made it to the rock bands at the far right
The return hike was very pleasant
The End
